The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic rebel group, has seized control of Rathedaung township in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Following two weeks of intense fighting, around 200 junta soldiers reportedly fled the area on Sunday night. Independent media outlets, Irrawaddy and Radio Free Asia, confirmed the news, citing sources from the Arakan Army.
Irrawaddy reported that the junta may have used Rohingya civilians as human shields during the clashes. Local sources in Teknaf, Bangladesh, near the border with Myanmar, reported an attack by the Arakan Army on a Border Guard Police (BGP) sector on Sunday evening.
The full picture of the situation in Rathedaung and potential border activity requires further verification. The impact on surrounding areas and civilians remains unclear.
This development highlights the ongoing conflict between the Arakan Army and Myanmar’s military junta.